Devizes runner goes the extra mile after her dad is diagnosed with cancer

Elizabeth Clark from Continental Devizes will be taking part in Toughmudder Event in September for Prostate Cancer

Runner Liz Clark is to undertake one of the most challenging cross-country events in the world to raise money for prostate cancer research, after her father was diagnosed with the disease.

The 37-year-old of Spitalcroft Road, Devizes, is a member of the Avon Valley Running Club and a regular triathlete but the Tough Mudder South West event, which takes place on September 22, will stretch her endurance to the limit.

She said: “I have done marathons for Cancer Research but this is a really big event and I want to raise as much money as I can.

“My dad, John Clark, who everyone calls Nobby, was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer and this is one of many events I will be taking part in to raise money for the charity.”

The Tough Mudder, the venue for which has still to be announced, involves a course of between ten and 12 miles with obstacles including crawling through mud, climbing sheer walls, undergoing electric shocks, running through fire and scrambling under barbed wire.

Ms Clark, who works for the Continental Group at Hopton Park in Devizes, will take on the challenge with her partner, Anthony Wood, a member of the RAF Regiment, who is raising funds for Help for Heroes.

They will join other friends from training at Devizes Leisure Centre and together they are calling themselves The Moonraker Mudders.

She said: “We have already started training for the event with circuit training, spinning and running.

“I haven’t told dad about it yet but it’s the sort of thing he would expect me to get up to.

“I raised £670 from the marathon run I did last year so I am hoping that, because I have so much time before the Mudder, I will raise much more. If I can get over £1,000 I will be over the moon.”

Ms Clark has also entered the ballot for the London 100-mile bike ride and is waiting to hear if she has been successful.